Don’t get me started about nutritional supplements. My soapbox stands at the ready on this subject. Somewhere back there in my motley career history I returned to university and studied nutrition. I became a registered dietitian—not one who hung out a shingle but, as a professional journalist, I specialized in “integrative medicine” issues.
A short, operative definition of integrative medicine might characterize it as the combining of the best of conventional medicine and the best of alternative medicine—usually beginning with the least invasive therapies first. It is clear that pharmaceutical drugs have their place, but importantly, so do nutritional supplements.
In fact, if a patient’s health problem allows, a health practitioner knowledgeable in integrative medicine would more than likely decide to initially hold off on prescription drugs, which often have destructive and toxic side effects. Instead, the practitioner would begin with a gentler approach that encourages the patient’s body to mount a defense of its own to overcome the health challenge (leaving the immune system stronger and more vigorous).
Conversely, you wouldn’t tell somebody to drink carrot juice if they were rushed in from a car wreck. I suspect we’d all want the marvels of drugs and surgery on our side in such a case.
But importantly, to assure our health freedom, as individuals, we each need to be able to choose the course of our treatments. That’s why lawyer Shawn Buckley has landed on our cover this month. Whatever you think of him—and there are a lot of diverse opinions (ask the Canadian Health Food Association, for instance), it’s apparent that he has our best interests in mind and has been an indefatigable crusader around health freedom when it comes to using nutritional supplements.
Tamara Letkeman, our talented and intrepid editor, who’s been following the vagaries of the by-now-infamous Bill C-51, gives us a colourful look at this outspoken and plucky personality who’s become a celebrated hero in the natural health arena. See page 20 .
Vancouver Health Show: Save the Date
Speaking of natural health arenas, Canada Place will be hosting one of the province’s biggest shows of the year with the Vancouver Health Show later this month. I like this show because it embraces all aspects of a healthy life. For instance, our eco-career expert, Coro Strandberg, will be a featured speaker discussing job tips and job leads for finding career positions that match your values. After all, it’s healthy to be happy at your work! Check out the Health Show’s pullout program in this issue for more details. And while you’re at it, check out Coro’s Careers on page 46 .
How to Live Deeply
Did you know that people who annoy you the most can be your greatest teachers? Marilyn Schlitz, PhD, reminds us that you choose how you interpret your experiences. She is one of the top people at the acclaimed Institute for Noetic Sciences founded by astronaut Edgar Mitchell (after a stroll on the moon). In partnership with UBC, Marilyn will be leading IONS’s signature workshop on conscious transformations. See her interview on page 32 . Check out shared-vision.com for your chance to win a pair of tickets to Living Deeply or the Vancouver Health Show.
Mistake Us for the New Yorker?
Catch cartoonist Joseph Farris’s work on our back page this month—we are delighted that he’s contributing to SharedVISION. You’ll recognize his signature style from his work at the New Yorker. He has some choice environmental pings.
It’s all good. It’s all a SharedVISION.
In gratitude,
